It seems that the more gadgets we have that were all touted as being able to de-stress us by keeping us up to date, the more stressed we have become. People walk out of their houses on their phones, drive while checking their emails, and walk down the street while texting someone. There is something to be said for not knowing everything right now. Wouldn’t it be nice to walk down the street to your local store and watch where you’re going? Take time to see the trees, the insects, and the birds as you go by. Being able to drive in your car and enjoy the view, what a simple pleasure we take for granted. Sometimes we’re trying to talk to one person while texting someone else. Gone are when you had someone’s undivided attention, and enter the times when our lives have become one multitasking session after another.
Being detached from the grid occasionally can be very de-stressing unless you start stressing about not knowing. We need to do two things to live low-tech in this high-tech world. Don’t get caught up in the hype. You don’t need to upgrade every time. Believe it or not, the tech we have can last years and years, and most of the time, our needs don’t change that drastically to warrant getting the latest tech anyway. Understand that there is, and will always be, something better than what you have, so just be satisfied with what you do have, and don’t focus on what you don’t have.
This high-tech-driven society definitely has its advantages, and some technologies really make life a joy to live. We get up in the morning and check our smartphones and tablets before talking to our significant other. We can send a quick email and check the weather and the news before we say “hey” to our partners. There used to be time for a talk before we left the house, but now the only word we hear is, “I’m late; gotta go.” However, all this tech has come at a price. Instead of connecting one on one, we end up clicking on three or on five as we try to connect to everything and everyone at once.
We cannot escape this high-tech society in which we live, and neither should we try to, but what we should try to do is know which tech we need and which we don’t. Let’s stay connected with our family and friends but not lose the joy of enjoying life. Let’s control our tech instead of our tech holding us. Let’s enjoy the sun, the rain, and the breeze, as we also want our loved ones and the gadgets that keep us connected. Let’s try to understand which tech gadgets will give us the balance that will allow us to be low-tech in a high-tech world.
